Heat player gives slam dunk lesson in hard work

Earning straight A’s and just one B in high school is right on par with winning two NBA Championships, Miami Heat player Shane Battier told 250 students in Fort Lauderdale Monday.

“That’s something I’m just as proud of,” said Battier, who celebrated his 35th birthday at St. Mark’s Episcopal School. “I was a great a student not because I was brilliant, but because I worked hard at it every single day … this applies to every facet of your life.”

Battier spent the morning talking about the A, B, Z’s to success: avoid negative influence, believe in yourself and zero in on your goal. In turn, the students sang Happy Birthday to him while wearing Heat jerseys and holding extra large birthday cards.

Eighth-grader James Martin said the six-foot, eight-inch Battier inspired him.

“I didn’t know he went to Duke University,” said James, who also wants to attend the North Carolina school. “I always keep pretty good grades but I’m going to try and get straight A’s this time.”

Battier made headlines in June for scoring six three-point shots in Game 7 of the NBA Finals. Lesser-known, however, is his reputation as a good student.

“I didn’t know he got all these A’s,” said second-grader Will McGuire. “He’s also a bit taller [than I thought].”

Battier was asked to speak by Jim Bevell, a parent who has two kids at the school and who frequently donates to the Battier Take Charge Foundation, which encourages young leaders.

“Education is so important to him,” said Bevell. “Today, he got them fired up -- set a goal, stay focused and you can do anything.”

Battier even encouraged healthy eating.

“Who likes the Miami Heat?” he asked Battier, and every student shot their hand in the air in agreement. “Who likes LeBron James?” he asked, and the same loud cheers echoed through the gym. “Who likes broccoli?” he then said, as half of the hands dropped and students laughed.

“When I was in eighth grade, I was six-foot-eight. Eat your vegetables,” he said.

And since no lesson is complete without some homework, Battier told students to write their goals on a piece of paper and read them daily.

“In fourth grade, I wrote on a piece of paper: I want to get straight As in school, I want to go to a great university and I want to make the NBA,” he said. “That’s the reason why I’m here.”